Life-preserver



W. J. MAY.

LIFE PRESERVER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.28. 1918.

1,343,928. PatentedJune22 1920.

WALTER J. MAY, or CHICAGO, ILLINoIs.

LIFE-PRESEBVER.

. Specification of Letters Patent. Patented J un 22 192() Application filed January 28, 1918. Serial K0. 214,137.

To all whom it may concern: r

Be it known that I, WALTER J. MAY, a

citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Chicago, county of Cook, and

State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Life-Preservers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in life preserves, and has for its object the production of a device of this character, which will be of durable and economical construction and highly efficient in use.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed. v

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which:

Figure 1 is a partially sectional side elevation of a life preserver embodying the invention, and

Fig.2, an illustration of the manner of use of the device.

The preferred form of construction as illustrated in the drawings, comprises a pair of gourds 1, the handles 2 of which are sawed or out 01f to appropriate lengths and the seeds cleaned out from within the gourds. The mouths of the gourds are then closed by cork stoppers 3, with which are connected the ends of a strap, rope, or other suitable elongated flexible element 4. The ends of the element 4 are passed through the corks 3 before insertion of the latter, and knots 5 tied on said element to positively anchor eachend thereof to the corresponding cork.

After connection of the ends of element 4 with the corks, the same are inserted into the mouths of the gourds and positively secured thereto by means of nails or brads'6, as clearly seen in Fig. 1. p

To insure positive sealing of the mouth of each gourd, a coatin 7 of wax or other suitable sealing material is then applied, as clearly seen in Fig. 1.

As is generally known, the walls of a dried gourd are absolutely water-tight, so that when the mouth of the gourd is sealed, as described, an absolutely sealed watertight hollow body is provided; Moreover, the gourd is very light in weight, and this,

coupled with the water-tight character of the walls thereof, renders the same exceptionally well adapted to serve as a buoy or life preserver.

The buoy formed by each gourd when sealed as described, is capable of use in any situation Where buoyancy in water is desired. Where, however, the gourds are connected as shown, forming a life preserver, the latter, in use, is arranged so that the element 4 rests under the body of the user with the gourds protruding from either side, as will be readily understood. In order to hold the device securely in place, the member 4 may be provided with arm or shoulder loops 8 as seen.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. 1, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claim.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: I

A device of the class described comprising apair of spaced hollow bodies, each having an opening. therein; a closure for said openings; an elongated flexible element secured to said closures and connecting said bodies; and a pair of arm loops mounted on said element intermediate its ends, substantially as described. y

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WALTER J. MAY. 

